Counting the practice road trips we can get in before the 30th anniversary in Turin.
It's working in my favour taking the coupé on this everytime and not flying as I'm not an easy flyer as the years go on plus the wee dogs get to come along.
I know from the 2018 trip we've learnt to cut the driving hours down each day and in the middle of it we can take it easy for a week from our base in Garda.
So roll on the summer and preparation for the coupé journey.
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638191 14/01/202016:5114/01/202016:51
Our 2018 trip when we were heading home via Stelvio pass around beginning of October, there was a bit of snow in some areas at the top but all roads clear and mainly like a summers day though completely appreciate its different at the top. Then when we stopped at the top for a walk with the dogs it was starting to snow so quickly jumped back in the coupé and sprinted off back down the other side.
I would imagine a bit of a detour is required if you ended up at Brescia then? We will be at the Stelvio pass mid September so a couple of weeks earlier than on the last trip.
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638216 14/01/202020:2614/01/202020:26
I don't know when you're planning to go, but I've my own Alfa 159 Ti 2.4 JTDm tour of European countries in the works:
France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria to Grangesises, below Sestriere in the Western Italian Alps for a couple of weeks... But wait! There's more... After that, south through Italy, eventually dropping in on a friend in Bari, then on to Brindisi and the ferry to Igoumenitsa, Greece, to meet another friend, possibly in Athens depending. Onwards once more to Bulgaria and Sofia City for another two weeks there. After that it's return via whatever route seems more appealing, my breathed-on Alfa Ti really does motor!
If I can keep abreast of your planned dates, I may be able to meet up with you for a bevvy and a chin-wag.
Sprinty Coupe 20VT6 1949 White Abarth Punto Grande SS Stromboli Grey Alfa 159 Ti Abarth 695 Rivale
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638270 15/01/202017:2515/01/202017:25
It be a shame not to if our paths cross along the journey. Our trip is mid September. With a route through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and into Italy via Stelvio and into Bormio. When are you going?
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638272 15/01/202017:4115/01/202017:41
Dave, yes on the way down from Ulm via Austria. We found an alternate route but it added a few miles to the trip. September should have it open, though.
Would you mind giving some basic (bullitt points perhaps) How it works and approx’ budget please.
Cant for the life of me figure out how to get a table on here so this will have to do for now but I do have a document if you require.
So basically we have planned after we get off the ferry is 3 overnight stops to get to Garda, 7 nights stay on lake garda, then 3 overnight stops for the return journey to the ferry.
The ferry is over night from Newcastle to IJmuiden Netherlands and sails at 5pm and arrives next morning in IJmuiden at 9.
Bear in mind costs below are approx although we have now booked all our accommodation and ferry and I just need to tot it all up.
Day Overnight Stops Route Miles Driving Time
0 Newcastle to Ijmuiden 150 miles 18 hours 1 Ijmuiden to Limburg 245 miles 4 hours 2 Limburg to Neuschwanstein 290 miles 5 hours 3 Neuschwanstein to Bormio Via Stelvio 128 miles 5 hours 4 Bormio to Garda 127 miles 4 hours 5 Garda 6 Garda 7 Garda 8 Garda 9 Garda 10 Garda 11 Garda to Nufenen Via S. B Pass 240 miles 4 hrs 12 Nufenen to Karlsruhe 260 miles 4 hrs 30m 13 Karlsruhe to Dusseldorf 210 miles 3 hrs 30m 14 Dusseldorf to Ijmuiden 150 miles 2 hrs 15 Newcastle to Home 150 miles 3 hrs
Approx figures
Ferry - £302
Fuel - £375
Based on 63 litre tank, £1.35 fuel per litre, £85 to fill tank, Full tank range 430, 4.5x tanks to complete journey (does not inc day trips).
7 nights Lake Garda accommodation Classic Plus Room Halfboard - 884GBP
6 nights accommodation whilst travelling through Europe - 500GBP
Breakdown Cover is advised ??? Could be included in Insurance Policy – If through Hagerty Insurance - £200 approx again.
Switzerland Vignette - 35 euro
Total - 2200GBP but not including food costs whilst travelling or spending money.
Last edited by Rosso; 16/01/202021:13. Reason: Cost update
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638297 16/01/202000:3816/01/202000:38
Yeh for us its over £600 as the dogs are coming along so that bumps the cost right up although that's also including dinner and breakfast on the ship and the optional personal travel insurance.
I've just costed it now and for 2 adults and car it is £302 return.
Last edited by Rosso; 16/01/202000:55. Reason: Costing
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638300 16/01/202002:2616/01/202002:26
Thanks Alan feeling very lucky to be doing the trip in the coupé.
Our route from the ferry takes us through the Netherlands with 1 stop in the North of Germany and 1 stop in the south, into Switzerland and then Italy driving the Stelvio Pass with a total of a 1000 miles. We then have a similar return but via the San Bernardino Pass and again 1000 mile.
I can't say I know Netherlands, Germany or Switzerland well either to be completely honest but what I can say I completely appreciate what beautiful surroundings they are on that journey and something that is missed by jumping on a plane.mmm the coupe got to be less polluting than a plane
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638330 16/01/202023:0216/01/202023:02
If you are driving through Switzerland on the main highways you need a vignette (windscreen pass) that costs CHF 40 (approx EUR 40) and is valid for the calendar year, even if you only need it for a day. Or you can risk driving without one...
Driving through Austria is cheaper, you can buy passes for 10 days EUR 9.40, 2 months EUR 27.40 or 1 year EUR 91.10
Plus you'll need an emergency triangle, hi-vis vests for all car occupants, first aid kit, spare bulbs, etc. You're supposed to carry a breathalyser in France and could be fined for not having one, but the fine continues to be suspended, so you don't really need one, despite what the Ferry companies / Eurotunnel would have you believe. Headlight beam deflectors are of little use, but show that you have at least tried (I never bother any more)
1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus 1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638331 16/01/202023:0416/01/202023:04
Many thanks Rosso for the info, it’s all new to me, never done a tour such as this and so appreciate the guide.
And as DaveG mentioned above you'll need an emergency kit etc, breathelizer for France and Vignette for Swiss roads.
For this year's trip we've got an extra day to get to Italy so thees less driving time each day so should be good for photo opportunities and coffee stops along the way.
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638466 21/01/202000:2021/01/202000:20
I've read in a few places that the Stelvio Pass is best approached from the North. It says you have to pass over it from the North to best appreciate the switchbacks.
What are peoples thoughts if they've done both approaches?
We were approaching from the south side in 2018 and still found it a great drive despite the rain and it cleared up pretty quickly.
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638509 21/01/202019:5221/01/202019:52
I'd approach it from the east which is I suppose the north overall; up the slope with the wiggly bits exposed in the valley, down the not-quite-so-wiggly side towards Bormio.
I can't help feeling that the other way is going to have some enthusiastic braking.
I expect it will be a bit different in going up "wiggly bits" maybe more so in the n/a this time. First stop in Italy is Bormio so maybe I could get up early in the morning to do sneaky in reverse again
It did eventually bring on the squealing Brembo's in 2018. Not that I was in any rush but the sound bouncing off the walls was tremendous
Re: Italian Road Trip 2020
[Re: Rosso]
#1638524 22/01/202010:2422/01/202010:24
In a 20v n/a I'd tackle that section of roads heading down from the North, going up the altitude will mean you'll be having to work that engine hard and if you have any electrical gremlins you'll find them, DaveG knows this from experience.
Well yes, if only I knew what those gremlins were. I suspect that the ambient air pressure sensor was not working so that it was overfueling at altitude, not sure how to test for that beforehand at only 100m elevation. That was on the way back at least, on the way there, who knows, I still don't know what exactly the repair was made by Turin's finest, but it's still working fine
1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus 1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake